Improvement in rein-holders



CHARLES HUTGHINGS, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

lMPRQV-EMENT IN RElN-HOLDERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 161,792, dated April 6, 1875; application filed January 18, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES HUTOHINGS, of Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rein-Holders; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The object of my said invention is to provide a safe and rapid method of securing the reins of horses or draft-annuals with the requisite degree of tautness by means of a reinholding device attached to any convenient place on the vehicle-as the dash-board of a spring-wagon or buggy, or the handles of plows and other agricultural implements.

The improvement herein consists of a vertically-hinged j aw, having a beveled edge and a return upper end, in combination with the vertical branch of the figure-head, terminating in an under lip, and having a beveled and corrugated surface, whereby a mouth is formed at the top of the figure-head, in such relation to the beveled griping-surfaces for the reins as to automatically open the hinged jaw by the act of inserting of the reins between them; also, in the combination, with a vertical branch-of a figure-head, of a vertically-hinged jaw, having socket-bearings, jockeyvisored guards, a finger-piece, and a spring,

whereby the hinged jaw is held in place for automatic action in clamping and holding the reins between the beveled and corrugated faces of the figure-head branch and the hinged jaw.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a view in perspective of my improved device, with the reins held by the jaws; Fig. 2, a similar view, showing the pivoted jaw open to release the reins; Fig. 3, a top View, with the reins griped; and Fig. 4, a horizontal section.

The bracket figure-head A is constructed in imitation of a horses body, as shown in the drawings, or of any other design. From the .bottom of this bracket A a jaw, B, rises in front, terminating in an under lip, a, said jaw being provided on its inner beveled surface with corrugations or steps b, for a purpose to be presently described. Pivoted within bearings, at c c, in said bracket A, is a movable skeleton jaw, c, beveled and corrugated also on its front edge, to correspond as near as is necessary with the bevel and corrugations of the jaw B, so as to receive and securely clamp the reins between them. Attached to the bracket A, near or at the middle thereof, is a bearing-spring, D, the bearing end d of which presses upon the finger-piece e of the skeleton pivoted jaw G, its action being to keep said jaw O in constant griping contact with the reins held between it and the stationary jaw B, assisted by the steps or corrugations upon the beveled surface of the latter. Upon each side of the bearing-spring D, and intermediate between said spring and the pivot-bearings c c, are visored jockey-cap guards E E, the visors f of which engage with notches in the pivot'stem g of the Skeleton jaw, so as to keep it always within its bearings, and afford a bearing-surface for said stem in the outward movement of said jaw, when it is desired to release the reins. The upper end of this skeleton jaw is curved or returned inward at h, to form, when the jaws are shut, in connection with the flaring lip a. of the jaw B, a mouth for the reception of the reins, and to afford a convenient means of slipping the reins between the biting-jaws.

When it is desired to open the skeleton jaw to release the reins, it is only necessary to operate the thumb or finger piece 6 to press said jaw outward and force the spring D back.

The edges of both jaws being beveled and corrugated or grooved, and their bevels being in the same direction, the reins are tightly clamped, and held between them at any required degree of tautness, according as to whether the reins are drawn tighter or looser, and inserted between the jaws.

This device is attached in any suitable manner to the dash-board or carriage-top of a wagon or buggy.

I am aware that a springcam has been pivoted in a frame that is attached to the dashboard, so as to engage the reins, when required, with a fixed part of said frame butin such construction of cam it is necessary to turn it out of the Way in order to insert the reins between the holding-surfaces. This objection my invention avoids.

I claim--- 1. The vertically-hinged jaw 0, having a beveled edge and a return upper end, in combination with the vertical branch B of the figure-head, terminating in an under lip, a,

and having a beveled and corrugated surface, I), substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, with the vertical branch B of the figure-head A, of the vertically-hinged jaw (J, socket-bearings cc, finger-piece e,jockeyvisored guards E f, and the spring D, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing, I have affixed my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES HUTOHIN GS. Witnesses:

JAMES B. HENDERSON, J OHN H. PARTRIDG-E. 

